Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6.908, John Goodwin, N.C.

SERVICE
NUMBER
N.C.
Goodwin, John
S. 6,908
Born in N.C.
carded
CONTENTS

N. Carolina 27, 810
John Goodwin Serv.
Perquimans in the State of N. Carolina who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Harvey of the Reg't. commanded by Col. Jarvis in the N. Carolina Troops for 11 months 1/25 days
Inscribed on the Roll of North Carolina at the rate of 39 Dollars 87 Cents per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 rd day of March 1834 and sent to Hon. W. B. Shepard N. B.
  Arrears to the 4th of March 1834  189.61    Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept. "  19.93         $239.54  
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D. Brown
Clerk,
Book E.
Vol. 6 1/2
Page 56

State of North Carolina Perguimans County.
Court of Pleas & Quarters Sessions Nov. Term 1833.
On this thirteenth day of November 1833 personally appeared in open Court before the Justices of said Court now sitting John Goodwin Sen t a resident of the County of Perguimans and State of North Carolina aged eighty years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7 th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated, on the 2 d day of March 1778 he volunteered under Capt. John Harvey in the County of Perguimans when in three weeks he proceeded in Col. Savis regiment attached to the division regiment of Genl. Wm. Gregory through Edenton (N.C.) thence to Hillsborough in same State where the division under Genl. Gregory halted and remained for sometime, - That John Conway was Lieut. of this affiant's company - that from Hillsbor they marched to Sadler on their way to Charleston where they were attacked and defeated by the enemy - that they retreated back across the river where they encamped and remained for about four months - that this affiant was at Coles Mills when Gates was defeated - that this affiant served in this Southern campaign for the space of twelve months - That he rec d his discharge from Lieut. Conway & returned home. - That in June '79 he was drafted in the County of Perguimans in Capt. William Riddick's company to go to the North west Bridge -

That David Stuttings was Lieut. of said company - that he marched to said North West Bridge where he remained three months, when he was discharged by Lieut. Stuttings & returned home - that he was also at this place attached to Col. Davis Regiment & Genl. Gregory's Division. That in April 1780 this affiant enlisted under Capt. Clement Hall, - William Pratten Lieut. - when they moved on to the South by the way of Winston in N. Carolina, passed the River Roanoke at Halifax and joined Genl. Green at the High Hills of Santee, where he stayed for several months - thence went by Thompson's Ford to Utaw Springs where a battle was fought and the Americans came off victorious - that they pursued the British towards Charleston and after reconnoitering for some time they returned to the High Hills of Santee where they encamped under Genl. Green for the winter - that at this place they were frequently marching & reconnoitering towards Charleston &c. This affiant served in this campaign for the space of twelve months at least. He was discharged by Capt. John White, who upon the return home of Capt. Hall, had charge of his company.
I hereby relinquish any claim whatever to any pension or annuity, except the present, and declare that my name is not on the pension Roll of any State.
Questions propounded by the Court to Afflicant. 1. Where & in what year were you born? answer. In the County of Chowan N.C. and was born in 1753. 2. Have you any record of your age? answer. I have not. 3. Where were you living when called into service? answer. In the County of Bertie, where I have ever since.

4 th How were you called into service?
Answer. I first volunteered - the 2 nd time I was drafted, the 3 rd time enlisted.
5 th State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, when you served; such Continental & Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service.
Answer. To this question the applicant in open Court says he refers to his declaration made above, with this addition, that in his first Southern campaign under Col. Javis, he this applicant fired upon and wounded his Colonel under the following circumstances. Col. Javis was a first rate officer, he was much in the habit of watching his men while posted as sentinels, and if he found them sleepy or careless, would sometimes take away their guns unknown to them, & the next day expose them to the derision & ridicule of his regiment - that one night he attempted to play this trick upon your applicant, who, having first demanded the pass word of him & directing him to stand, which the Col. refusing to do, the applicant fired upon him & wounded him, being ignorant at the time, that it was his beloved Colonel. This circumstance the next day was the source of much merriment at the Colonel's expense.
6 th Did you ever receive a discharge, from the service, and from whom, & what has become of it?
Answer. I rec d a discharge in all the towns that I took - In the 1 st I rec d a discharge from Lieut. John Coney. The 2 nd from Lieut. Sam. Hattings. The 3 rd from Capt. John White. All of which discharges I have lost or destroyed.
7 th State the names of persons to whom you are known in your neighbourhood, who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution?
Answer. Henry Skinner Esq. Humphrey Elliott & Elijah Perry Esq.

Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
In open court
Clerk John Wood
John Goodwin his mark
And it being made appear to the Court that there is no clergyman in the County who is acquainted with the applicant. Now we Allen Saunders a justice of the peace for said County & Humphrey Elliott a Justice of the peace for said County, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with John Goodwin Esq. who has signed & sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be eighty years of age; that he is respected & beloved in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Sworn & subscribed in open court The day & year above written,
Allen Saunders J.P. H. Elliott
Clerk John Wood
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department, that the above above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Allen Saunders who has signed the preceding certificate is a Justice of the peace for the County of Rappahannock, and that Humphrey Elliott, who has also signed the same is a resident Justice of the peace in the County aforesaid & that their statement is entitled to full credit.
I John Wood clerk of the Court of Pleas for the County of Rappahannock do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of John Goodwin Esq. for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 14 th of Nov. 1833.
is none else Yrs Clerk John Wood 96.86

John Goodwin Jr.
28.376
of Capt. Rufus B. White 19 th May 81 for 12 months Died 14 th May 82
Admitted as a
Pirate 10 mo: 25 days
$49.43 3 3/4 87
Hon. Wm B. Shephard
38.66
A.R.
27 3/4
39.43
John Wood Esq.
Hartford Ct.
C.A.
May allow
11 mo 25 days

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
25 Nov: 1849
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: } ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.      
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }  On this                      day of                      personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of                      in the county of                      and State, Territory or District of                      aged (c)                      years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)                      , with                      and served in the                      (e) regiment of the                      line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I                      of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of                      for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of                      &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the                      and C. D. residing in (the same)                      , who has hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with                      , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the                      and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the                      and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I,                      Clerk of the Court of                      do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this                      day of                      &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____; For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Applicant must specify his service as above

State of North Carolina
Secretary of State's Office
I William Hill Secretary of State in and for the State aforesaid do certify that it appears from the muster rolls of the Continental line of this State in the revolutionary war, that John Goodwin a private in Capt. Rainford's Company of the 10 th Regiment entered the service on the 19 th day of May 1781, for the term of 12 months and was discharged on the 14 th day of February 1782.
Given under my hand this 9 th day of May 1834.
W. Hill

250 V. L. Edwards Esq. Committee of Pensions Wash. D.C.
Hon. W. P. Shepard.

Washington City May 22 nd 1834
Sir,
I have received your letter of the 15 th and 21 st inst in relation to the pension claim of John Goodwin Esq. in which you say "It appears that he enlisted on the 19 th of May 1781 and was discharged Feb y 11 th 1782 making 8 months 25 days. A certificate may be issued for this service together with the 3 months tour in the militia which he has specified, should he choose to accept it." Whenever he shall be able to specify his first tour of twelve months as is required by the rules that may also be allowed." As Mr Goodwin is old and infirm, I am induced to accept these terms, that he may not by further delay lose the entire benefit of the Act.
Yours Obedt Servt W. B. Shepard

Rev. Dr.
6908
INVALID.
en
No. 6908
John Goodwin Dr. New War
Act: June 1 st 82
Index:—Vol. 15 , Page 145
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Amended Decla- ration of John Good- win Esq.

State of North Carolina } Sup t . Court of Law Perguimans County. } Spring Term 1834.
The amended declaration of John Goodwin suit to the original declaration filed by him at Nov. Term 1833 at the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the County of Perguimans now taken before the Honorable James Martin one of the Judges of the Sup t . Court of Law & Equity for the State of North Carolina.
John Goodwin suit after being duly sworn according to law states, that he found & opined that he had been sufficiently precise & explicit in the first statement which he made in his original declaration which was forwarded to the war department and has since been returned to him for amendment.
This affiant now expressly states that he volunteered as stated in his first declaration on the 2 d of April 1778 under Capt. John Harvey as a common soldier that he served in that campaign as before stated at least twelve months. That on the 1 st day of June 1779 upon his return home he was drafted as before stated to go to the North West Bridge when he served three months, that in this service no incident worthy of note occurred. That on the 1 st day of April 1780 this affiant enlisted as before stated in his original declaration, that he served in this campaign at least twelve twelve months. That in the engagement referred to in his declaration at Utaw Springs the fight commenced on Saturday early in the morning by the Americans coming in contact with what was then called the "New Irish Potatoes Party" consisting of about fifty in number, who were killed or taken to a man, when the alarm was given &

a general engagement around between the American & English armies which lasted during the day, that in the action this affiant was slightly wounded in the leg. This affiant further states that at the North Bridge he was stationed on foot all the time. That in his last tour while under the command of Genl. Brann he was stationed a fortnight at Thompson's Fort, but that generally he was either in camp or the open field. This affiant states that in all his campaigns he was a common soldier and while in the service he was engaged in no civil service or pursuit. This affiant further states that in consequence of his extreme old age, and the consequent loss of his memory, & his want of learning, he cannot enter into a more minute & positive detail of his services, &c. but of the direct & certain facts. He states in the premises he is perfectly satisfied & convinced, and for the year 1778 he avers that he served at least twelve months - for the year 1779 at least three months and for the year 1780 at least twelve months.
Sworn to & subscribed before me James Martin at the Court House in Hertford Virginia this 16 th day of April A.D. 1834.
Sworn and subscribed to in open court
John Goodwin Enr mark
Test A.W. Barber Clk
State of North Carolina
I James Charles St. one of the Judges of the Superior Court in the state of North Carolina do hereby certify that John Goodwin who was sworn in due form of law to the affidavits to which his name is subscribed in open court according to the attestation of A.W. Barber the Clerk of said Court April 16 th 1834 James Charles St. Clk.

State of North Carolina Superior Court of Law Percyquious County 3 Spring term 1834
I, Henry M c Barber Clerk of the Court aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the true proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Goodwin Esq. and that the Honourable James Martin Jr. is a Judge of the Court aforesaid and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature
In testimony whereof, I have here- unto set my hand and seal of office this 16 th day of April 1834
H m C o Barber CLK